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Special Areas of Conservation

Lower Findhorn Woods

Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Country Scotland
Unitary Authority Highlands and Islands
Centroid* NJ003523
Latitude 57.55
Longitude -3.666666667
SAC EU Code UK0030197
Status Designated Special Area of Conservation (SAC)
Area (ha) 177.14
* This is the approximate central point of the SAC. In the case of large, linear or composite sites, this may not represent the location where a feature occurs within the SAC.
Location of Lower Findhorn Woods SAC

General site character

  • Inland water bodies (Standing water, Running water) (30%)
  • Broad-leaved deciduous woodland (68%)
  • Coniferous woodland (2%)

Download the Standard Data Form for this site (PDF <100kb)

Note When undertaking an appropriate assessment of impacts at a site, all features of European importance (both primary and non-primary) need to be considered.

Annex I habitats that are a primary reason for selection of this site

  • The Lower Findhorn Woods represent Tilio-Acerion forest in the north-eastern part of its range in the UK. The River Findhorn flows through a deep gorge, the sides of which are cloaked in ancient semi-natural woodland, and there are some very good stands of the habitat scattered along the 7 km length of this site, wherever suitable topographic and soil conditions occur. The ground flora is species-rich with good floristic assemblages and several locally rare species, and the outstanding epiphytic lichen flora represents a highly continental type similar to that of dry mixed oak forests in southern Scandinavia.

Annex I habitats present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for selection of this site

  • Not Applicable

Annex II species that are a primary reason for selection of this site

  • Not Applicable

Annex II species present as a qualifying feature, but not a primary reason for site selection

  • Not Applicable

Many designated sites are on private land: the listing of a site in these pages does not imply any right of public access.